Circuit-interrupter



C. C. WHITTAKER.

ClBCUiT INTERRUPTER.

APPLICATION HLED JULY 12.1917.

1,386,039. I Patented Aug. 2, 1921.

WITNESSES INVEh OR UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES C. WHITTAKER, 0F WILKINSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WEST- INGHOUSE ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, Av CORPORATION OF PENN- ,SYLVANIA.

CIRCUIT-INTERRUPTER.

Application filed July 12,

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, CHARLES C. Wnrr- TAKER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of WVilkinsburg, in the count of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, ave invented a new and useful Improvement in Circuit-Interrupters, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to circuit interrupters and particularly to means for extinguishing the arcs that are drawn when such devices are actuated.

One object of my invention is to provide means that shall be adapted to so deflect a stream of oil across the space between the co- Operating separate that any are that obtains therebetween will be extinguished.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device of the above indicated character that shall be inexpensive to construct, applicable to existing types of circuit interru ters and effective in-its operation.

11 practising my invention, I mount a member of substantially arc-shape above and to one side of the movable contact member.

The member of arc-shape is of such form plate 3 therefor, stationary terminal members 4 that are supported by the cover plate, a movable rod 5 upon the lower end of which is mounted. a bridging contact member 6.

Stationary contact members 7 are mounted at the lower ends of the terminal members i and are adapted to be engaged by the bridg ing member 6. Two oppositely disposed members 8 and 9 are secured to a supporting member 10 that is mounted on the rod 5. The members 8 and 9 are of substantially arc-shape and are disposed at one side and slightly above the contact surfaces 11 of the bridging member din order that when Specification of Letters Patent.

contact members, when they are Patented Aug. 2, 1921.

1917. Serial No. 180,050.

the bridging member 6 is moved downwardly, the oil or other insulating fluid in the receptacle 2 will be deflected thereby across the space between the contact surfaces 11 and the contact members 7. The member 9 is disposed at one end of the bridging member 6 and the member 8 is disposed at the other end thereof.

en the rod 5 is moved downwardly to open the circuit interrupter 1, the oil in the receptacle 2 engages the concave surfaces 12 and 1.3 of the members 8 and 9, respectively and is forced across the space between the contact surfaces 11 and the contact members 7. That is, the oil is forced in one direction across the space between the contact-surface 11 at one end of the bridging member 6 and its corresponding stationary contact member 7 and in the opposite direction across the space between the contact surface 11 at the other end of the bridging member .6 and its respective stationary contact member. Thus, any are that is drawn when the contact memhere are disengaged will be lengthened by reason of the deflection of the oil in engagement therewith and thereby extinguished.

The members 8 and 9 will serve to dampen the acceleration of the bridging member 6 and thereby bring the same to a standstill with a minimum amount of disturbance or jar on the members of the circuit interru ter.

IVhile I have illustrated my invention in its preferred form, it will, of course, be un-' spirit and scope of the invention as set forth 1n the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a circuit interrupter, the combination with an oil-containing receptacle, and movable and stationary contact members disposed therein, of deflecting means of arcshape mounted on the movable member and adapted to engage the oil at such an angle that the oil is deflected in a substantially transverse direction across the space between the contact members when they are separated.

2. In a circuit interrupter, the combination with a fluid-containing receptacle, and movable and stationary contact members disposed therein, of a member of substantially arc-shape fixedly mounted on one side of the movable contact member for so ea gaging the fluid when the movable contact member is moved downwardly that the fluid is deflected in a line transverse to the movement of, at a position adjacent to, the movable contact member.

3. In a circuit interrupter, the combination with a fluid-containingreceptacle, and movable and stationary contact members disposed therein, of a member of substantially arc-shape mounted on one side of the movable contact member and relatively sta tionary with respect thereto for engaging the fluid at such an angle, when the movable contact member is moved downwardly, as to deflect a stream of fluid transversely across the space between the contact members.

4. In a circuit interrupter, the combination with a fluid-containing receptacle, and movable and stationary contact members disposed therein, of means carried by the movable contact member for directing a stream of fluid transversely with respect to said contact members.

5. A circuit interrupter comprising relatively-movable contact members, and rela tively-stationary means operatively connected to one of said members for directing a stream of fluid transversely betweenfthe coiiperating surfaces of said members.

6. A circuit interrupter comprising relatively-movable contact members, relativelystationary means operatively connected to one of said members for directing a stream of fluid toward said members, and means whereby said stream is started before a change in the circuit, caused by operation of the interrupter, is effected.

7. The combination with a fluid-containing receptacle and cooperating contact members disposed therein, of means of substantially arc-shape fixedly mounted on the movable contact members for so engaging the fluid, when the contact members are actuated, that the fluid is directly deflected transversely of the contact members before and during separation thereof.

8. The combination with an oil-containing receptacle, stationary contact members and a bridging contact member disposed in the receptacle, of two oppositely-disposed members of substantially arc-shape mounted on the bridging member and adapted to so engage the oil as to deflect a stream thereof across the space between the bridging member and the stationary contact members when they are separated.

9. A circuit interrupter comprising relatively-movable contact members, means for directing a stream of fluid toward said members and means for actuating said fluid-directing means before a change in the circuit, caused by operation of the interrupter, is effected.

10. A circuit interrupter comprising relatively-movable contact members, supporting means for each of said members and relatively-stationary-means disposed on the supporting means of one of said members for directing a stream of fluid transversely between the cooperating surfaces of said members.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 27th day of June,

CHARLES C. WHITTAKER. 

